I bought a 2001 Ram about a week ago, and I've noticed an "abnormality" in the transmission. It runs fine, and drives as it should, but in all the gears except 4th, there is a whine type noise (varies in tune with speed). In neutral, with the clutch out, there is noise. With the clutch in in any gear, there is none. I'm pretty sure it's the throw out bearing. With 114K on the clock, would it be best just to wait for the clutch to wear out than to try and pull all that (Tranny, T-Case...) and swap the bushing, then do it again in 40K when the clutch goes out?

Thanks,
Cole

 

When a throw out bearing goes bad it can grenade and go through the bellhousing. You can ask my wife about that, she killed one in her 84 camaro, shot a hole right through the bellhousing, destroyed the clutch as well.

Its up to you, but i would change the throw out bearing and while i was in there, put a new clutch in.

 

Sounds like something on the countershaft, 4th gear isn't actually a "gear" and it doesn't use the countershaft, so that's why you don't hear any noise in 4th.

It's very possible your tranny has gear oil in it (NOT the correct fluid) and that could be was caused the problem..

 

Wait, run that by me again?

 

I think what he means to say is that it is a 1:1 ratio gear. Some people think that there is no gear there because the tranny spins the driveshaft at 1:1 in 4th. But there is a myth that there is no gear.

It is like there is "no gear" in 4th. but it is a 1:1 gear. I was bashed about this in 2001 in thirdgen.org when I was talking about my camaro with a 5 speed.

If you think this forum is tough...the thirdgenforum for thirdgen camaros is unforgiving. THink about how many teenagers who get a 1986 RS with a V6 get on there and start talking crap.

 

I just realized that monte and I are some of the "oldest" guys on this forum in terms of join date.

 

It's 1:1, it doesn't use a gear, power is transferred straight through the mainshaft, that's likely why he doesn't hear the noise in 4th IMO.

 

It may well have gear oil in it. I've heard, however, that the ATF that is specified is actually a little too light for that tranny, and that Redline MTL actually runs better, but I'm a bit wary if getting too far away from the right fluid. I know that there is a direct Amsoil replacement, so I need to get some and change it. I have my doubts that it's ever been changed. The synchros are notably "slow". Ie; shift out of first, push almost to second, wait about 1 second, then shift when it synchronizes. I have a feeling that whatever is in there is worn out, judging by how it drives in the mornings. I'm really feeling like just driving it for another 10-20K until the clutch starts slipping (I'm not going to get too many miles out of it, I live in the mountains and it already has 115K), then change the bearing then. I don't want it to grenade on me, but I'll be driving it easy (not like I would an '83 Camaro). I'm a little reluctant to pull the T-Case, both axles, and the tranny by myself, so I'll probably either wait until I save up the $$, or just get a couple of my buddies out here and we can change it then.

Cole

 

Im sorry, i read too much into your post. you got it. When 4th gear is selected the input and main shaft are locked together, powerflow then bypasses the countershaft. In any other gear power flow goes through the input shaft to the counter and then back out what ever gear is selected.

So yes, technically there is no gear in 4th.

 

ATF is not the specified lubricant. I forget what Chrysler calls it but GM uses the same stuff, its called synchromesh. ATF IS too light and gear oil is way to heavy, neither have the friction modifiers to keep the synchros from wearing out prematurely. If you have gear oil in it then you need to drain it out ASAP and fill with the correct fluid.

You can go to the dealer and get it or try a big parts house. I know Pennzoil makes it, as does A/C delco. They both call it synchromesh. But either GM or Chrysler dealer will have it. But Chrysler calls it something a little different.